(Macao, October 30, 2012) - The10-boutNovember 10Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) event at The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel's CotaiArena™ is just around the corner, and mainland China's first-ever fighter to compete in the Octagon™ is gearing up for his big match.
"My training is getting stronger and stronger every day," says featherweight Zhang Tiequan. "I feel good right now, and everything is prepared; I am ready for the fight." Such confidence should serve Zhang well, as the fighter known as "The Wolf" prepares to battle Guam's Jon Tuck, who remains undefeated after his first six professional mixed martial arts (MMA) matches.
While earning his degree in Sports Education at Xi'an Physical Education University, Zhang was first introduced to MMA during his training in the Sanda fighting style (also known as Sanshou) in 2005. He is foremost among a growing group of professional MMA fighters in mainland China, and his ferocious style during his seven-year professional MMA career has gained him 15 wins with just 3 losses.
Zhang has been preparing for his bout with three daily training sessions, resting one day a week. His training regimen includes cardio, conditioning, Muay Thai, boxing and sparring. "I've brought in some top level Chinese coaches and training partners including A Si Qing, Dai Shuang Hai, and Bao Li Gao, who is a former Sanda champion," Zhang says. "I'm also working on my Muay Thai skills with a native Thai instructor named Khamphi."
Fans may be surprised to learn that Zhang is avoiding all food and water in the evening, to stay physically and mentally strong ahead of his fight, making up for it with beef and vegetables for breakfast and lunch.
Originally from China's Inner Mongolia province, Zhang considers Genghis Khan one of his heroes. His style in the ring favours punches, and when asked about the upcoming contest, he remarked, "My background in Sanda will be my advantage in the fight, and I'm also training in Muay Thai with my new Thai coach, Khamphi. I am so excited and proud to be fighting in my homeland, and I will do my best in front of all the Chinese fans. I just wanttodo my best and make them proud of me."
Those looking to get a taste of this combat sport ahead of the November 10 event can visit the UFC Experience zone at The Venetian Macao, which features exhibition panels introducing the origin of MMA and the game rules, free MMA video games and other interactive games, and a kiosk selling UFC signature merchandise such as t-shirts, caps and boxing gloves.
Universally recognized for its action-packed, must-see events that have sold out some of the biggest arenas and stadiums across the globe, UFC, the world's premier MMA organization, brings its phenomenal event to greater China - and to Macao - for the first time at The Venetian Macao's 15,000-seat CotaiArena, the top live entertainment destination in southern China, on November 10. In addition to the match between Zhang and Tuck, the 10-fight event features a title bout with two American talents: Rich Franklin and Vietnam-born Cung Le. Also fighting are Korea's Dong Hyun Kim, Brazil's Paulo Thiago, Bulgarian Stanislav Nedkov, and Brazilian Thiago Silva.
UFC on FUEL TV: RICH FRANKLIN VS CUNG LE will air live on numerous UFC broadcast partners across Asia and globally, as well as on FUEL TV in North America on Sunday, November 11.
Tickets for "UFC on FUEL TV: RICH FRANKLIN VS CUNG LE" are on sale now at all Sands China box offices* and can be booked online at www.CotaiTicketing.com, or by phone at +853 2882 8818 (Macao) / +852 6333 6660 (HK). Tickets are also available at Tom Lee Outlets and through Hong Kong Ticketing (customer service fee applies) at www.HKTicketing.com, or by phone at +852 3128 8288. Tickets are available in seven categories: HKD/MOP 3,880 (Silver), 2,280 (Bronze), 1,280 (A Reserve), 980 (B Reserve), 880 (C Reserve), 680 (D Reserve) and 380 (E Reserve).
Visitors from mainland China can purchase tickets through one of two participating travel agents: China International Travel Service (CITS), via phone at 400-600-0853 and online at www.cits.mo/ufcmacao; and Yong Le, via phone at 4006-228-228 and online at www.228.com.cn/ufcmacao. The booking deadline for both is Monday, November 5.
For more information about the event, including the full fight card, visit www.ufc.com/event/FUEL6#/fight.
Photo caption:UFC fever is on its way to the CotaiArena November 10, featuring an exciting line-up of MMA talent, including China's Zhang Tiequan (first from right, at a September 7 sneak preview event at The Venetian Macao).
From left to right: Welterweight class Dong Hyun Kim from South Korea; Light Heavyweight class Rich Franklin from America; Middleweight class Vietnam-born American Cung Le; Featherweight class Zhang Tiequan from China.
###
About the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Universally recognized for its action-packed, can't-miss events that have sold out some of the biggest arenas and stadiums across the globe, the UFC® is the world's premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, headquartered in Las Vegas and with offices in London, Toronto and Beijing, UFC produces more than 30 live events annually and is the largest Pay-Per-View event provider in the world. In 2011, the UFC burst into the mainstream with a landmark seven-year broadcast agreement with FOX Sports Media Group in the USA. The agreement includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network annually, with additional fight cards and thousands of hours of programming broadcast on FOX properties FX and FUEL TV. This also includes the longest-running sports reality show on television, The Ultimate Fighter®, which now airs on FX.
In addition to its reach on FOX, UFC programming is broadcast in over 149 countries and territories, to nearly one billion homes worldwide, in 20 different languages. The UFC also connects with tens of millions of fans through its website, UFC.com, as well as social media sites Facebook and Twitter. UFC President Dana White is considered one of the most accessible and followed executives in sports, with over two million followers on Twitter. Ancillary UFC businesses include best-selling DVDs, an internationally distributed magazine, UFC.TV offering live event broadcasts and video on demand around the world, the best-selling UFC Undisputed® video game franchise distributed by THQ and a new franchise in development with EA, UFC GYM®, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo® festivals, branded apparel and trading cards.
Entertainment at Sands China Ltd. Properties
Sands China Ltd. has as a clear vision to establish Macao as Asia's top entertainment destination.
The 15,000-seat CotaiArena™ is the only venue in Asia ranked in Pollstar's Top 100 Worldwide Arena Venues based on ticket sales. It is the top entertainment destination in southern China, hosting the world's and the region's biggest names in music, sports and awards shows. Superstars frequently choose the venue as the starting point of their Asian tours.
The 1800-seat, multi-purpose Venetian Theatre is one of the most luxurious entertainment venues in greater China. Featuring ushers in black-tie, champagne service, gourmet food and beverage items and other unique, premium amenities, it offers an intimate, luxurious and exclusive venue experience. The Venetian Theatre is playing a key role in bringing the best in international and Chinese entertainment to Macao, with a luxury theatre experience like no other in the region.
The 650-seat Sands Macao Hotel theatre regularly features internationally-renowned singers, performers and artists of the highest calibre. From traditional Chinese-costumed dancers to modern performances, and from singing troupes to contemporary bands, everything from Western rock to Cantonese pop is covered.
With an unbeatable diversity, the entertainment offering of Sands China Ltd. is ushering in a new era of entertainment in Macao.
For more information, please visitwww.cotaiticketing.com.